Rangers win 4-3, Kids shine in big win

The Rangers won another game today, and this one was a big one in the standings, and also kept them hot, as they won their eighth game in the last ten games. Here’s how it all happened. In the first period, it was Florida scoring, as they jumped out of the gates 2-0, courtesy of Aleksander Barkov and Ryan Lomberg. In the second period, it was the kids striking, as Kaapo Kakko got the Rangers on the board, and Alexis Lafreniere scored a beauty to tie it up. In the third, Patrick Kane scored his 450th NHL goal to give the Rangers the lead, and Filip Chytil scored his 21st to make it 4-2 Rangers. The entire kid line had scored two points up to that point. Barkov scored to make it 4-3, but the Rangers shut the door and won another game.

The Kid Line were the Rangers best line tonight, with Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Filip Chytil all scoring and getting assists. Their great play today saw head coach Gerard Gallant give increased minutes to that line, and they are getting hot at the right time.

Jaroslav Halak played well once again tonight for the Rangers, and has started himself a little two game win streak. Coming off a 23 save shutout on Sunday at the Garden, Halak stopped 31/34 shots in the win at Florida. He made some huge saves, including two saves at the end of the game that ended up crucial as the Rangers won by a goal. Halak is now 8-2-2 in his last 12 starts.

Divisional Implications

The race in the Metropolitan Division has been very tight since the trade deadline, as tonight’s win for the Rangers pulled them within 4 points of the first place Hurricanes, and two points within second place before the Devils won tonight to put a four point gap between the two teams. The Rangers next play on Tuesday in MSG which would clinch them a playoff spot with a win.

⭐️: Filip Chytil, 1 goal, 1 assist, +2

⭐️⭐️: Aleksander Barkov, 2 goals, +1

⭐️⭐️⭐️: Kaapo Kakko, 1 goal, 1 assist, +3

My personal ⭐️: Alexis Lafreniere. Prior to tonight’s game in Florida, Laf hadn’t put up a point in eight consecutive games. Lafreniere amassed 2 points tonight, 1 goal, 1 assist, and was a big reason the Rangers won tonight. The Rangers improve to 43-20-10.